Mayor Fires Officer Hunzeker for Hardesty False Report Leak

Hunzeker resigned from his position as president of Portland's police union March 2021. (Photo/Portland Police Association)City of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler announced Tuesday that he has terminated Portland Police Officer Brian Hunzeker for his involvement in leaking a false police report to The Oregonian in March of last year. Hunzeker resigned from his position as president of Portland's police union shortly after the incident.

In a statement released to the media, the mayor’s office said that Hunzeker was in violation of police policy when he accessed a confidential record, reproduced the information using his mobile phone, and sent it to the news outlet.

An internal investigation determined Hunzeker’s actions were in retaliation against Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty due to her criticisms of the police bureau.

“As Police Commissioner, on behalf of the bureau, I want to apologize to Commissioner Hardesty for Officer Hunzeker’s actions,” Mayor Wheeler said in a statement.

The mayor expressed his respect for Portland Police Chief Lovell and his work, but said they disagreed on the level of discipline to impose.

The disciplinary process is not complete for all of the officers involved.

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